How Do You Maintain a Concrete Driveway?

Because concrete is one of the strongest and most durable construction materials, it makes for a perfect driveway. But to ensure it lasts for as long as possible, you’ll need to perform a little concrete maintenance in Sanford, NC. Continue reading to learn what you and your concrete contractor must do to keep your driveway in tip-top shape.

Remove stains as soon as possible

Motor oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze are just a few of the fluids that drip down from parked vehicles. Don’t just let those fluids sit on your concrete—they can leave permanent stains. You can absorb fresh stains with kitty litter and remove them with warm water and dish soap. Older stains could possibly be removed with a power washer.

Apply sealer

Concrete sealant is the surface’s best defense against the fluids mentioned above, as well as harsh chemicals, traffic and anything else that could damage your driveway. Sealant should be reapplied every two years or so, but it depends on your driveway’s usage. While you can apply sealant yourself, we recommend hiring a concrete contractor in Sanford, NC for the best results.

Fix cracks right away

Even if you follow all of the necessary maintenance practices, your concrete could still crack over time. These cracks may start out small, but they’re not something to ignore. They will grow wider and larger over time, necessitating more expensive repairs. You can either call a professional or fill the cracks yourself with products purchased from your local hardware store. After the cracks are filled, seal the area again.

Avoid deicing agents

Eliminating snow and ice from the driveway with salt or deicers is the go-to move for many homeowners during the winter. Unfortunately, this quick fix can damage your concrete driveway. Rock salt is less harmful, but the ammonium nitrates and ammonium sulphates in deicing agents can chemically damage the surface. As part of your winter concrete maintenance in Sanford, NC, avoid these products at all cost.

Shovel carefully

Since you won’t be using salt to remove snow and ice from your driveway, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way with a snow shovel. While you’re shoveling, be careful not the catch the tip of the shovel on the concrete. This may seem insignificant, but you could accidentally chip the surface. As winter progresses, those small chips could grow and require repairs.

Protect the edges

The edges of your driveway are the most vulnerable to cracking and chipping. This problem is intensified when you park heavy trucks, trailers or RVs in the driveway. To prevent damage to the edges, park heavy vehicles near the center of the driveway if possible. Or, better yet, hire a contractor to pour a separate parking pad for these vehicles.

Hire Maddox Concrete, LLC for all of your concrete needs

You may be able to handle some of the concrete maintenance work mentioned above by yourself. But for jobs like crack repair that require a concrete contractor in Sanford, NC, be sure to choose our team at Maddox Concrete, LLC. Give us a call today to get a free estimate for your project.